CVE-2016-0898 in MySQL for PCF Tiles
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL for PCF tiles 1.7.x before 1.7.10 were discovered to log the AWS access key in plaintext. These credentials were logged to the Service Backup component logs, and not the system log, thus were not exposed outside the Service Backup VM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0898 represents a critical security flaw in MySQL for PCF tiles version 1.7.x before 1.7.10 where AWS access keys were being logged in plaintext format. This vulnerability specifically affected the Service Backup component within the MySQL for PCF environment, creating a significant risk for cloud infrastructure security. The flaw stems from improper credential handling practices where sensitive authentication information was being written to log files without adequate protection measures. The logging mechanism was configured to capture these credentials in plain text format, making them easily accessible to anyone with access to the Service Backup component logs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Service Backup component's logging subsystem which was designed to record operational information during backup processes. However, the logging configuration failed to sanitize or redact sensitive AWS access key information before writing it to the component's log files. This plaintext logging occurred specifically within the Service Backup VM's local logging system rather than being directed to system-level logs, which provided some isolation but did not eliminate the exposure risk. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper logging practices, and represents a classic example of credential leakage in cloud environments where access keys are stored in plain text within application logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate exposure of AWS credentials, as it creates potential attack vectors for unauthorized access to cloud resources. While the credentials were not exposed outside the Service Backup VM, the presence of plaintext access keys in local logs creates a significant risk for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within the cloud environment, and potential data breaches. Attackers who gain access to the Service Backup VM could directly extract these credentials and use them to access AWS services, potentially compromising entire cloud infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using MySQL for PCF deployments where backup operations are performed, particularly those with sensitive data stored in cloud environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to version 1.7.10 or later, which addresses the plaintext logging issue through proper credential sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive log management practices that include automatic credential detection and redaction mechanisms. The remediation process requires updating the Service Backup component configuration to ensure that no sensitive authentication information is written to log files in plaintext format. Security teams should conduct thorough log review processes to identify and remove any previously exposed credentials, while implementing monitoring solutions that can detect credential exposure patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly focusing on credential management and logging security controls. The incident highlights the necessity of implementing automated security scanning and monitoring solutions that can detect sensitive information leakage in application logs and system outputs.